2018 Philadelphia Literacy Day

A festival of family fun celebrating Philadelphia as a city of readers, writers and thinkers!

Presented by Tree House Books

In partnership with Read by 4th & the United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey

Saturday, May 12, 2018 -- A PERFECT Philadelphia Literacy Day!!

A sincere thanks to all of the volunteers who rolled up their sleeves to make it a great day! Thank you to the United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey and Read by 4th for your partnership and friendship. Thank you to Mayor Jim Kenney - what an amazing storyteller, the kids loved you! Thank you to the many visiting authors, sponsors and community leaders that were with us. Saxbys...you rock! Thank you to all of the book donors that gave thousands of books to our Book Market. To borrow a few words from Brett Cohen, THB board chair and President of Quirk Books: Because of you, Philadelphia got the book swap and literacy festival it deserves!

Brett and I, along with PLD '2018 Chair Kristin Kiser, our staff, Board, Advisory Board, partners, volunteers, and families at Tree House Books, we are collectively bursting with pride for what we did together. Neighbor giving to neighbor, having fun, building relationships, and celebrating reading and writing -- a huge success, and the beginning of something big!

Thanks to all for your hard work and passion -- we appreciate you.

Warmest regards,June BretzExecutive Director

Over 1,200 children and families enjoyed the festivities at Smith Memorial Playground, and our a satellite event at the Kimmel Center in Center City. There was face painting, caricature art, games, poetry walls, prizes, giveaways, balloon artists, author readings, arts & crafts, and more! Guests enjoyed FREE treats, courtesy of Saxby's, as well as complimentary water ice and Philly soft pretzels!

Mayor Kenney read us all a story about loving yourself for everything that makes you unique!!! Kids Corner host KATHY O’CONNELL of WXPN-FM joined us to celebrate literacy and welcome her friends TWO OF A KIND, a musical duo and Philadelphia favorite for families and children of all ages – who performed songs celebrating the joy of reading! Also with us was Kids Corner librarian JOE HILTON – fresh from the Kids Corner Bookmobile! Kids made their very own bookmarks as they chat with Joe about some of their favorite stories.

The Book Market:

The massive flea market-like book-swap was open for all to donate gently used (but beloved) books, and select new books to kick start a summer of reading! Philadelphia took home over 2,500 free books in one Saturday!

The Book Market was sponsored by Hachette Book Group, Running Press, Quirk Books, Soho Press and Penguin Random House. A special thank you to all who donated books!

A special thank you to the Wieseneck family, who not only supported Philadelphia Literacy Day, but who generously

supports the programs of Tree House Books all year round, as well as our title partners and corporate sponsors:

Location Sponsor

Diamond Sponsors

Location Sponsor

Platinum Sponsors

Gold Sponsors

The Schell Group at Merrill Lynch

Jennifer Weiner

Silver Sponsors

The Do-Gooders

Edelman Wealth Management

Ironbound Cider

Interface Studio Architects

Mum Mum Cards

Read by 4th

The Rotary Club of Philadelphia

Toshiba Business Solutions

WSFS Bank

Food Sponsors

Rita's Water Ice

Philadelphia Pretzel Factory

The Fresh Grocer

Saxbys

Media Partners WXPN and WOGL 98 FM

A special thank you to donors who have donated food, prizes, and other goodies, including The Arden Theater, Philadelphia Union, Wicked Cool Toys, and Sesame Street!

This event is supported by the Philadelphia Public Relations Association, and by

official proclamation from the Philadelphia Mayor's Office.

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Click here if you would like more information, to get involved with Philadelphia Literacy Day 2019!

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A warm thank you to Jon Weiss, for the gracious donation of the Tree House Books space, and to Temple University, for your enduring support! Thank you to ALL of our generous donors and volunteers that help make Tree House Books possible!